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E le t. da ep SID N on D rb ion E I D Ca reat UI c Re R G

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E MM SU

LOOK INSIDE:

the

Sun

Sopris Carbondale’s community

supported, weekly newspaper

Volume 6, Number 10 | April 17, 2014

Ditch Day

Across the United States, April 15 is Tax Day but in Carbondale it’s also Ditch Day, the day during which the head-gates of the Carbondale and Weaver ditches are opened, so the town can use the water for lawns and gardens. Ditch rider Gavin Metcalf (shown here) started his day by opening the head gate for the Carbondale Ditch near Prince Creek. Before he opened the gate he put this headboard into place, which helps divert river water into the ditch. Among other requests, Metcalf asks residents not to dump leaves and yard waste into the ditches. Photo by Jane Bachrach

Environmental board’s roots date back 30 years, still growing By Sue Gray Sopris Sun Correspondent In recent years, Carbondale has developed a reputation for being an environmentally friendly place, but 30 years ago the Town lacked any sort of environmental regulations. Taking matters into their own hands, a group of citizens calling themselves “Down Valley Trash� started working on a recycling program. The group, which in-

cluded Steve Standiford and Jeff Dickinson, eventually formed an informal “environmental boardâ€? to deal with broader issues. In 1995, the environmental board began expressing concerns about the use of herbicides to control weeds in town parks and playing ďŹ elds. Pesticides (bug killers) and herbicides (weed killers) were linked to cancer in lab animals, but it was the possible effects on children whose systems are more

sensitive to toxins, that was most alarming. As children play on the grass in parks, at school and at home, the chemicals stick to their clothes and skin, and could lead to health problems later on. With John “Doc� Philip (aka Doc Dandelion) in the lead, several petitions were circulated asking the Town of Carbondale (T.O.C.) to suspend the use of herbicides on its parks and playgrounds. When the Board

of Trustees (B.O.T.) received the petitions with over 100 signatures, they asked for some research into alternate methods of weed control. The environmental board agreed to take on the task. Environmental awareness continued growing in the Carbondale community and among its Town representatives. The T.O.C. Comprehensive Plan Update of ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD page 17

We l ove yo u C a r b o n d a l e ! Happy 4/20! Bring this coupon in and receive $10 off a 1/8th* Reg: $65 NOW: $55 *MUST SHOW CARBONDALE ID AND PRESENT COUPON

ALSO $10 OFF A GRAM OF SHATTER.

*GOOD NOW THRU SUNDAY 4/20/14

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14 04 17 by The Sopris Sun - Issuu